Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Regulations 2(1) and 8(3)

SCHEDULE 1 Certification of seed potatoes

1.  Certification shall consist of an official examination of seed potatoes made by an authorised officer which shall include the classification of such potatoes in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2 and the issue by the Department of a certificate of the result of that examination as specified in Schedule 3.

2.  The Department may refuse to issue a certificate if an authorised officer is not satisfied that:

(a) the seed potatoes (other than seed potatoes delivered or intended to be delivered in pursuance of a sale or proposed sale elsewhere than in the United Kingdom or a member State) are of a variety complying with the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982(1) and which has not been notified by the Department as being unacceptable for classification; or

(b) the seed potatoes are or were grown, harvested, stored, prepared for marketing, transported, handled and graded so as to minimize the risk of contamination by such harmful diseases or pests as notified by the Department from time to time; or

(c) blanking in the growing crop of seed potatoes is or was not excessive; or

(d) there has been no roguing of a pre-basic seed potato crop before inspection; or

(e) any roguing of a basic seed potato growing crop has been carried out effectively and the growing crop has not been over rogued; or

(f) all reasonable husbandry practices for the prevention of the occurrence, development or spread of pests and diseases have been effectively carried out.

3.  A certificate for pre-basic seed potatoes shall not be issued by an authorised officer unless the officer is satisfied that the seed potatoes satisfy the minimum conditions established by the Department for classes of pre-basic seed potatoes.

4.  A certificate shall not be issued by the Department unless an authorised officer is satisfied that:

(a) the land on which the seed potatoes are growing or were grown—

(i) is not land in respect of which a notice has been served under Article 22(4) of the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 declaring that land to be infected with wart disease, potato ring rot, or potato cyst nematode;

(ii) is not land in respect of which an Inspector has demarcated a zone under Article 23A(1) of the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 to prevent the spread of potato brown rot;

(iii) has by sampling and laboratory examination been found to be free from potato cyst nematode; and

(iv) is land which has not been used for growing potatoes in any of the previous 6 years for crops classified as Pre-basic 1, Pre-basic 2 or VTSC, or, in any of the previous 4 years for crops of any other class.

(b) the seed potatoes have been produced from—

(i) basic seed potatoes or pre-basic seed potatoes;

(ii) a crop grown with the authority of or in circumstances acceptable to the Department; or

(iii) seed potatoes grown elsewhere than in Northern Ireland and in respect of which an examination acceptable to the Department has been carried out;

(c) the seed potatoes in any crop are of a single variety;

(d) the seed potatoes are taken from a crop which is free from the following diseases or pests:

• Wart Disease (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc.)

• Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera (Heterodera) species infesting potatoes)

• Ring Rot (Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spiek & Kotth) Davis et al.)

• Brown Rot (Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.)

• Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea (= Gnorimoschema) operculella (Zell.))

• Potato Tuber Eelworm (Ditylenchus destructor (Thorne))

• Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid

• Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say));

(e) the seed potatoes are taken from a crop which has been classified in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2 and in which the presence of diseased potato plants and rogues, ground keepers and undesirable variations is ascertained not to exceed the respective tolerances set out in Schedule 2 in relation to the classes described therein.

5.  Seed potatoes shall not be classified—

(a) as Pre-basic TC seed potatoes, if the immediately succeeding crop produced therefrom is likely to contain—

(i) plants of another variety; or

(ii) virus affected plants;

(b) as Pre-basic 1 or Pre-basic 2 seed potatoes, if, in relation to the immediately succeeding crop produced therefrom, the number of growing plants which—

(i) deviate from variety and type, is likely to exceed 0.01% of the total number of plants in that crop; or

(ii) show symptoms of mild or severe virus diseases attributable to infection in the mother crop, is likely to exceed 0.01% of that total number; or

(c) as basic seed potatoes, if, in relation to the immediately succeeding crop produced therefrom, the number of growing plants which—

(i) deviate from variety, is likely to exceed 0.1% of the total number of plants in that crop;

(ii) deviate from variety and type, is likely to exceed 0.25% of that total number; or

(iii) show symptoms of mild or severe virus diseases attributable to infection in the mother crop, is likely to exceed 4.0% of that total number.

Regulations 2(1), 8(3) and (4), and 17(2) and Schedule 1, paragraph 1 and 4(e)

SCHEDULE 2 Classification: source material for planting, requirements and tolerances for the growing crop

1.  In the course of certification of any seed potatoes produced in Northern Ireland, an authorised officer may classify the potatoes as being pre-basic seed potatoes or basic seed potatoes of a class specified in Column 1 of Table I (pre-basic seed potatoes) or Table II (basic seed potatoes) to this Schedule if he is satisfied—

(a) that the seed potatoes are derived from source material of the kind specified in the entry in Column 2 corresponding to that class;

(b) that the requirements specified in the entry in Column 3 corresponding to that class have been met; and

(c) on a sample that any of the tolerances specified in the entry in Column 4 corresponding to that class have not been exceeded.

2.  Any tolerance in Column 4 of Table I or Table II expressed as a percentage is a reference to the proportion expressed as a percentage which the number of growing plants affected by the disease or varietal impurity bears to the total number of plants in the sample.

Table I

Pre-basic Seed Potatoes

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Class	Source Material	Other Requirements	Tolerances
Pre-basic TC	Nuclear stock or a crop which meets the requirements set out in Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii).	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be grown in a unit officially approved for pro- duction of Pre- basic TC; (b) be kept free, as far as practicable, from diseases and aphids by appropriate husbandry measures.	(i) Deviations from variety— nil; (ii) Severe mosaic — nil; (iii) Leafroll— nil; (iv) Mild mosaic— nil; (v) Blackleg— nil.
Pre-basic 1	Stock which was classified in the year preceding the planting of the crop as Pre-basic TC or a crop which meets the requirements set out in Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii).	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be grown and entered for classification by a person whose facilities, planting arrangements and manner of keeping appropriate records in relation to production of seed potatoes are acceptable to the Department; (b) be grown in the year in which they are entered for classification on an agricultural unit on which all potato crops planted were seed potatoes of pre-basic and VTSC classes; (c) be sufficiently isolated from potato crops below the standard of VTSC 1 and VTSC 2 in order to prevent the transmission of disease from such crops; and (d) have had the foliage of the plants destroyed by the date notified to the owner of the crop or the owner’s agent by an authorised officer.	(i) Deviations from variety and type and groundkeepers — nil; (ii) Severe mosaic — nil; (iii) Leafroll— nil; (iv) Mild mosaic— nil; (v) Blackleg— nil.
Pre-basic 2	Stock which was classified in the year preceding the planting of the crop as Pre-basic 1.	As for Pre-basic 1.	As for Pre-basic 1.

Table II

Basic Seed Potatoes

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Class	Source Material	Other Requirements	Tolerances
VTSC SEED VTSC 1	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be seed potatoes derived from a stock which was classified as pre-basic seed potatoes in the year preceding the planting of the crop; or (b) be seed potatoes which meet the requirements set out in Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii) and (iii).	As for Pre-basic 1.	As for Pre-basic 1.
VTSC 2	The seed potatoes shall be seed potatoes derived from a stock which was classified as VTSC 1 in the year preceding the planting of the crop.	As for Pre-basic 1.	As for Pre-basic 1.
SUPER ELITE SEED (SE) SE 1	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be seed potatoes derived from a stock which was classified as Pre- basic TC, Pre- basic 1, Pre-basic 2, VTSC 1 or VTSC 2 in the year preceding the planting of the crop; or (b) be seed potatoes which meet the requirements set out in Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii). and (iii).	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be sufficiently isolated from potato crops below the standard of Super Elite in order to prevent the transmission of disease from such crops; and (b) have had the foliage of the plants destroyed by the date notified to the owner of the crop or the owner’s agent by an authorised officer.	(i) Deviations from variety and type and groundkeepers — 0.05%; (ii) Leafroll and Severe mosaic — 0.01%; (iii) Mild mosaic — 0.05%; (iv) Blackleg— 0.25%.
SE 2	(a) The requirements shall be the same as for SE 1 except that the seed potatoes shall be derived from a stock which was classified as SE 1 in the year preceding the planting of the crop; or (b) seed potatoes which meet the requirements set out in Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii) and (iii).	As for SE 1.	As for SE 1.
SE 3	The requirements shall be the same as for SE 1 except that the seed potatoes shall be derived from a stock which was classified as SE 2 in the year preceding the planting of the crop.	As for SE 1.	As for SE 1.
ELITE SEED (E) E	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be derived from a stock which was classified as Pre-basic TC, Pre- basic 1, Pre-basic 2, VTSC 1, VTSC 2, SE 1, SE 2, SE 3 or E in the year preceding the planting of the crop; or (b) be derived from seed potatoes produced in accordance with Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii) and (iii); or (c) be derived from seed potatoes which have been found to meet the requirements of Commission Directive 93/17/EEC and which have been designated by the authority concerned as Community grade EEC 1 or EEC 2.	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be sufficiently isolated from potato crops below the standard of Elite in order to prevent the transmission of disease from such crops; and (b) have had the foliage of the plants destroyed by the date notified to the owner of the crop or the owner’s agent by an authorised officer.	(i) Deviations from variety and type and groundkeepers — 0.05%; (ii) total virus disease (Leafroll, Severe mosaic and Mild mosaic) — 0.5% of which not more than 0.1% (in total) shall be Leafroll and Severe mosaic; (iii) Blackleg — 0.5%.
CLASS A SEED
A	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be derived either from a stock which was classified as Pre-basic TC, Pre-basic 1, Pre- basic 2, VTSC 1, VTSC 2, SE 1, SE 2, SE 3 or E in the year preceding the planting of the crop or from seed potatoes produced in accordance with Schedule 1 paragraph 4(b)(ii) and (iii); or (b) be derived from seed potatoes which have been found to meet the requirements of Commission Directive 93/17/EEC and which have been designated by the authority concerned as Community grade EEC 1 or EEC 2.	The seed potatoes shall: (a) be sufficiently isolated from potato crops below the standard of Class A in order to prevent the transmission of disease from such crops; and (b) have had the foliage of the plants destroyed by the date notified to the grower of the crop or the owner’s agent by an authorised officer.	(i) Deviations from variety and type and groundkeepers— 0.1%; (ii) total virus disease —1.0% of which not more than 0.25% shall be Leafroll and Severe mosaic; (iii) Blackleg—1.0%.

Regulation 2(1) and Schedule 1 paragraph 1

SCHEDULE 3 Particulars to be set out in a certificate

1.  Name and address of the applicant.

2.  Location of the farm on which the crop was grown.

3.  Grower’s number.

4.  Pre-basic seed potatoes or basic seed (as appropriate).

5.  Class.

6.  Community grade, where appropriate.

7.  Date on which the certificate was issued.

8.  Variety of the crop classified.

9.  Area of the crop classified.

10.  The grower’s farm survey number and the number of the field in which the crop was grown.

Regulations 4(2)(d) and 13(1)(b)

SCHEDULE 4 Seed potato tubers: requirements as to varietal purity and size

Requirements as to varietal purity and size

1.  For the purposes of regulation 4(2)(d), the requirements, if any, set out in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 as to the varietal purity or minimum size of or maximum size between tubers in a lot of seed potatoes are specified in relation to any lot of seed potatoes to which those paragraphs respectively apply.

Pre-basic TC and equivalent seed potatoes

2.—(1) This paragraph applies—

(a) to seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being of the class Pre-basic TC; and

(b) to pre-basic seed potatoes produced outside Northern Ireland which are approved by the Department as being equivalent to that class.

(2) In the case of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies there shall be no deviation from variety.

Pre-basic 1 and Pre-basic 2 and equivalent seed potatoes

3.—(1) This paragraph applies—

(a) to seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being of the class Pre-basic 1 or Pre-basic 2; and

(b) to seed potatoes produced outside Northern Ireland which are approved by the Department as being equivalent to that class.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of seed to which this paragraph applies—

(a) there shall be no deviation from variety;

(b) the minimum size is 25 millimetres; and

(c) the maximum variation in size between tubers in a lot is 25 millimetres.

(3) For the purposes of determining whether any lot of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies meets the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a), the variety of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which deviate from variety does not exceed 0.01% of the total weight of the sample.

(4) For the purposes of determining whether any lot of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies meets the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (2)(b) or (c), the size of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which are—

(i) smaller than the minimum size stated on the official label; and

(ii) larger than the maximum size stated on the official label

does not exceed 2% of the total weight of the sample.

Basic seed potatoes

4.—(1) This paragraph applies to basic seed potatoes.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies—

(a) there shall be no deviation from variety;

(b) the minimum size is 25 millimetres; and

(c) the maximum variation in size between tubers in a lot is 25 millimetres.

(3) For the purposes of determining whether any lot of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies meets the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a), the variety of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which deviate from variety does not exceed 0.1% of the total weight of the sample.

(4) For the purposes of determining whether any lot of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies meets the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (2)(b) or (c)—

(a) in the case of seed potatoes produced in the United Kingdom, the size of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which are—

(i) smaller than the minimum size stated on the official label; and

(ii) larger than the maximum size stated on the official label

does not exceed 2% of the total weight of the sample; and

(b) in the case of potatoes produced outside the United Kingdom, the size of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which are—

(i) smaller than the minimum size stated on the official label, does not exceed 3%; and

(ii) larger than the maximum size stated on the official label does not exceed 3%—

of the total weight of the sample.

Regulations 2(l), 5, 10(2) and 12(2)

SCHEDULE 5

Part I Requirements for an official label

1.  An official label affixed or to be affixed to:—

(a) a package or container of basic seed potatoes shall be predominantly white; and

(b) a package or container of pre-basic seed potatoes shall be white with a diagonal violet line;

(c) an official label shall not measure less than 110mm by 67mm in size;

(d) an official label shall state the following particulars—

“EC Rules and Standards”

• Member State

• Country of production

• Producer’s identification number

• Species indicated at least in Roman characters, under its botanical name which may be given in abridged form and without the authors' names or under its common name or both

• Variety indicated at least in Roman characters

• Genetically modified (if appropriate)

• Pre-basic or basic seed potatoes

• Class

• Community grade (as appropriate)

• Size

• Net weight

• Month and year of closing.

2.  The size stated in accordance with paragraph 1(d) must, in the case of sizes over 35mm, be stated in multiples of 5mm.

3.  Official labels printed prior to 13th October 1997 with the abbreviation “EEC” instead of “EC” may be used until 31st December 2001.

Part II Marking of packages and containers for pre-basic seed potatoes or basic seed potatoes exported from Northern Ireland

1.  A package or container used for pre-basic seed potatoes or basic seed potatoes produced in Northern Ireland which is exported or intended to be exported from Northern Ireland shall be marked in letters and figures not less than 50 mm high and with the following particulars:

(a) the name, or initials, or trade brand or other symbols identifying the person who is exporting the pre-basic seed potatoes or basic seed potatoes;

(b) Northern Ireland pre-basic seed potatoes or basic seed potatoes;

(c) the net weight of the contents in kilogrammes.

Part III Information in respect of seed potatoes more than 2 kilograms in net weight produced in a country other than a member State

1.  Species.

2.  Variety.

3.  Category.

4.  Country of production and official inspection authority.

5.  Country of despatch.

6.  Importer.

7.  Quantity of seed potatoes.

Regulations 2(1), 13(1)(e) and 17(3)

SCHEDULE 6 Tolerances for diseases, pests, damage and defects in seed potato tubers

Tolerances

1.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations—

(a) Table I applies—

(i) to seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being of the class Pre-basic TC; and

(ii) to pre-basic seed potatoes produced outside Northern Ireland which are approved by the Department as being equivalent to that class;

(b) Table II applies—

(i) to seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being of the class Pre-basic 1 or 2; and

(ii) to pre-basic seed potatoes produced outside Northern Ireland which are approved by the Department as being equivalent to these classes;

(c) Table III applies—

(i) to basic seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being of the classes VTSC 1 or VTSC 2; and

(ii) to basic seed potatoes produced in any other part of the United Kingdom which are approved by the Department as being of a class equivalent to either of these classes;

(d) Table IV applies—

(i) to basic seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being seed potatoes of a class other than VTSC 1 or VTSC 2; and

(ii) to basic seed potatoes produced in any other part of the United Kingdom which are approved by the Department as being seed potatoes equivalent to any of the classes other than VTSC 1 or VTSC 2; and

(e) Table V applies in the case of basic seed potatoes produced outside the United Kingdom.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), any tolerance in a Column of any of the Tables in this Schedule expressed as a percentage is a reference to the proportion which the weight of potatoes affected by the disease, pest, damage or defect bears to the total weight of the sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, expressed as a percentage.

(3) In the case of dirt or other extraneous matter, any tolerance in a Column of any of the Tables in this Schedule expressed as a percentage is a reference to the proportion which the weight of such matter bears to the total weight of the sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, expressed as a percentage.

Individual tolerances

2.  The individual tolerances set out in the entry in Column 2 of Table I, II, III, IV or, as the case may be, V corresponding to the disease, pest, damage or defect set out in Column 1 of these Tables is specified in the case of seed potatoes to which the Table applies in relation to the disease, pest, damage or defect to which the entry corresponds.

Group tolerances

3.  The group tolerances set out in the entry in Column 3 of Table II, III, or, as the case may be, IV corresponding to the diseases, pests, damage or defects within Group II or III set out in Column 1 of those Tables is specified in the case of seed potatoes to which the Table applies in relation to the Group to which the entry corresponds.

Collective group tolerances

4.  The collective group tolerances set out in the entry in Column 4 of Table II, III, IV or, as the case may be, V corresponding to the diseases, pests, damage or defects within Group II, III and IV set out in Column 1 of those Tables is specified in the case of seed potatoes to which the Table applies in relation to those Groups.

Allowable surface area cover

5.—(1) This paragraph applies, for the purposes of these Regulations, to seed potatoes to which Table II, III, IV or V applies.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), an authorised officer may deem a potato in any sample of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies not to be affected by a disease in Group III, set out in Column 1 of the Table applicable to a potato of that class when, in the officer’s opinion—

(a) the surface area of the potato affected by the disease is less than the percentage surface area in the entry corresponding to the disease in Column 5 of the Table; and

(b) the potato has at least two eyes at the rose end wholly unaffected by the disease.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply when the disease Powdery Scab (Spongospora subterranea (Wallr.) Lagerh) takes its cankerous form.

Table I

Pre-basic Tissue Culture Class

Column 1	Column 2
Diseases, pests, damage and defects	Individual Tolerances
Group I
Wart Disease (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.))	NIL
Potato Tuber Eelworm (Ditylenchus destructor Thorne)	NIL
Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera species infesting potatoes)	NIL
Ring Rot (Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spieck & Kotth.) Davis et al.)	NIL
Brown Rot (Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.)	NIL
Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella (Zell))	NIL
Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid	NIL
Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))	NIL
Group II
Blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary)	NIL
Blackleg (Erwinia carotovora (Jones) Bergey et al. ssp. atroseptica (Hellmers & Dowson) Dye) or Erwinia chrysanthemi Burkholder et al. or both	NIL
Gangrene (Phoma species)/Dry Rot (Fusarium species)/Wet Rot	NIL
Frost damaged tubers	NIL
Group III
Skin Spot (Polyscytalum pustulans (Owen & Wakefield) M.B. Ellis)	NIL
Black Scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn)	NIL
Common Scab (Streptomyces species)	NIL
Powdery Scab (Spongospora subterranea (Wallr) Lagerh)	NIL
Group IV
External blemishes	3%
Group V
Dirt or other extraneous matter	1%

Table II

Pre-basic 1 and Pre-basic 2 Class

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Diseases, pests, damage and defects	Individual Tolerances	Group Tolerances	Collective Group Tolerances	Allowable % surface area cover
Group I
Wart Disease (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.))	NIL
Potato Tuber Eelworm (Ditylenchus destructor Thorne)	NIL
Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera species infesting potatoes)	NIL
Ring Rot (Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spieck & Kotth.) Davis et al.)	NIL
Brown Rot (Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.)	NIL
Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella (Zell))	NIL
Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid	NIL
Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))	NIL
Group II
Blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary)	0.1%	0.2%	4.0%
Blackleg (Erwinia carotovora (Jones) Bergey et al. ssp. atroseptica (Hellmers &	0.05%	0.2%	4.0%
Dowson) Dye) or Erwinia chrysanthemi Burkholder et al. or both	0.2%	0.2%	4.0%
Gangrene (Phoma species)/ Dry Rot (Fusarium species)/ Wet Rot	0.1%	0.2%	4.0%
Frost damaged tubers	0.1%	0.2%	4.0%
Group III
Skin Spot (Polyscytalum pustulans (Owen & Wakefield) M. B. Ellis)	0.2%	3.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Black Scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn)	0.5%	3.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Common Scab (Streptomyces species)	3.0%	3.0%	4.0%	25.0%
Powdery Scab (Spongospora subterranea (Wallr) Lagerh)	0.5%	3.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Group IV			4.0%
Blemishes such as damaged or misshapen tubers	1.0%
Group V
Dirt or other extraneous matter	1.0%

Note: The collective group tolerance in Column 4 applies to Groups II, III and IV in Column 1.

Table III

VTSC Class and Eqivalent (Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK)

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Diseases, pests, damage and defects	Individual Tolerances	Group Tolerances	Collective Group Tolerances	Allowable % surface area cover
Group I
Wart Disease (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.))	NIL
Potato Tuber Eelworm (Ditylenchus destructor Thorne)	NIL
Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera species infesting potatoes)	NIL
Ring Rot (Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spieck & Kotth.) Davis et al.)	NIL
Brown Rot (Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.)	NIL
Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella (Zell))	NIL
Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid	NIL
Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))	NIL
Group II
Blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary)	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Blackleg (Erwinia carotovora (Jones) Bergey et al. ssp. atroseptica (Hellmers & Dowson) Dye) or Erwinia chrysanthemi Burkholder et al. or both	0.05%	0.5%	4.0%
Soft/Wet Rot	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Dry Rot (Fusarium species)	0.4%	0.5%	4.0%
Gangrene (Phoma species)	0.4%	0.5%	4.0%
Frost damaged tubers	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Group III
Skin Spot (Polyscytalum pustulans (Owen & Wakefield) M. B. Ellis)	0.5%	3.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Black Scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn)	1.5%	3.0%	4.0%	25.0%
Common Scab (Streptomyces species)	3.0%	3.0%	4.0%	25.0%
Powdery Scab (Spongospora subterranea (Wallr) Lagerh)	1.5%	3.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Group IV
Blemishes such as damaged or misshapen tubers	2.0%		4.0%
Group V
Dirt or other extraneous matter	1.0%

Note: The collective group tolerance in Column 4 applies to Groups II, III and IV in Column 1

Table IV

Basic Seed Potatoes other than VTSC class and equivalent (Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK)

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Diseases, pests, damage and defects	Individual Tolerances	Group Tolerances	Collective Group Tolerances	Allowable % surface area cover
Group I
Wart Disease (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.))	NIL
Potato Tuber Eelworm (Ditylenchus destructor Thorne)	NIL
Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera species infesting potatoes)	NIL
Ring Rot (Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spieck & Kotth.) Davis et al.)	NIL
Brown Rot (Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.)	NIL
Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella (Zell))	NIL
Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid	NIL
Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))	NIL
Group II
Blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary)	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Blackleg (Erwinia carotovora (Jones)) Bergey et al. ssp. atroseptica (Hellmers &Dowson) Dye) or Erwinia chrysanthemi Burkholder et al. or both	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Soft/Wet Rot	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Dry Rot (Fusarium species)	0.4%	0.5%	4.0%
Gangrene (Phoma species)	0.4%	0.5%	4.0%
Frost damaged tubers	0.2%	0.5%	4.0%
Group III
Skin Spot (Polyscytalum pustulans (Owen & Wakefield) (M. B. Ellis)	2.0%	4.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Black Scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn)	3.0%	4.0%	4.0%	25.0%
Common Scab (Streptomyces species)	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	25.0%
Powdery Scab (Spongospora subterranea (Wallr) Lagerh)	3.0%	4.0%	4.0%	12.5%
Group IV
Blemishes such as damaged or misshapen tubers	2.0%		4.0%
Group V
Dirt or other extraneous matter	1.0%

Note: The collective group tolerance in Column 4 applies to Groups II, III and IV in Column 1.

Table V

Basic Seed Potatoes produced outside the UK

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Diseases, pests, damage and defects	Individual Tolerances	Group Tolerances	Collective Group Tolerances	Allowable % surface area cover
Group I
Wart Disease (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.))	NIL
Potato Tuber Eelworm (Ditylenchus destructor Thorne)	NIL
Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera species infesting potatoes)	NIL
Ring Rot (Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al. ssp. sepedonicus (Spieck & Kotth.) Davis et al.)	NIL
Brown Rot (Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.)	NIL
Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella (Zell))	NIL
Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid	NIL
Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))	NIL
Group II
Dry Rot (Fusarium species) and Wet Rot	0.5%		6.0%
Group III
Common Scab (Streptomyces species)	5.0%		6.0%	33.3%
Group IV
Blemishes such as damaged or misshapen tubers	3.0%		6.0%
Group V
Dirt or other extraneous matter	2.0%

Regulations 15, 16(a) and (b)

SCHEDULE 7 Particulars to be specified in a sale note, etc.

Pre-basic seed potatoes

• 1.  Name and address of the seller

• Net weight

• Variety

• Genetically modified (if appropriate)

• Pre-basic seed potatoes

• Class

• Size

• Grower’s number

• Particulars of any chemical treatment.

Basic seed potatoes

• 2.  Name and address of the seller

• Net weight

• Variety

• Genetically modified (if appropriate)

• Basic seed potatoes

• Class

• Community grade

• Size

• Grower’s number

• Particulars of any chemical treatment.

Regulation 18(3)

SCHEDULE 8 Sampling Procedures

1.  If the bulk consists of seed potatoes—

(a) comprising more than one consignment, or

(b) associated with more than one certificate issued by the Department in accordance with these Regulations,

it shall be so divided that each consignment or, as the case may be, the quantity of seed potatoes associated with each such certificate, constitutes a separate lot and each lot shall be separately sampled.

2.  Where the total quantity of seed potatoes being sampled separately does not exceed 50 kg all the seed potatoes shall be examined.

3.—(1) Where the total quantity exceeds 50 kg all the seed potatoes in a sample selected as set out in paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be examined.

(2) Where seed potatoes are packed in packages or containers (other than sacks or bags) of 50 kg or less or in sacks and bags:

(i) from lots not exceeding 5 tonnes at least one package or container in twenty shall be selected at random, the sample so selected being not less than 50 kg;

(ii) from lots exceeding 5 tonnes a sample of at least 250 kg shall be selected at random.

(3) Where seed potatoes are packed in packages or containers (other than sacks or bags) of more than 50 kg or unpacked:

(i) from lots not exceeding 5 tonnes at least one-twentieth of the weight of the lot shall be selected at random, the sample so selected being not less than 50 kg;

(ii) from lots exceeding 5 tonnes a sample of at least 250 kg shall be selected at random.

Regulation 19(3)(b)

SCHEDULE 9 Measures to prevent spread, by means of seed potatoes, of disease or pests

(a)

The dressing or re-dressing of seed potatoes;

(b)

The replacing of seed potatoes in a different package or container;

(c)

The destruction of any packages or containers which appear to have been in contact with seed potatoes affected by disease;

(d)

The disposal, as set out in the notice, of the seed potatoes for a use other than as seed potatoes;

(e)

The destruction of seed potatoes as set out in the notice;

(f)

The cleaning and disinfection of premises and equipment as set out in the notice;

(g)

The disinfection of seed potatoes as set out in the notice on premises set out therein.

Regulation 24

SCHEDULE 10 Revocations

Title	Reference
Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1981	S.R. 1981 No. 243
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983	S.R. 1983 No. 244
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1985	S.R. 1985 No. 2
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991	S.R. 1991 No. 397
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993	S.R. 1993 No. 372
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994	S.R. 1994 No. 459
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996	S.R. 1996 No. 242
Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997	S.R. 1997 No. 402

(1)

S.I. 1982/844; amended by S.I. 1985/1529, 1989/1314, 1990/1353, 1992/1615 and 1998/2726